Super Typhoon Haiyan

Friday 08th Nov 2013 by theWeather Club

Image: AccuWeather.com

Haiyan is the Philippines' 25th typhoon so far this year, but by far the strongest. Wind speeds reached 195 mph this morning local time. The storm’s strength is equivalent to an extremely powerful Category 5 hurricane. Haiyan can be compared to Super Typhoon Tip – the largest storm on Earth ever recorded (1,380 miles in diameter). Beside the wind damage, extensive flooding and mudslides are expected to destroy thousands of homes, but fortunately, nearly 750,000 people were evacuated in advance of the cyclone. The strength of Haiyan is expected to lessen by Saturday as it moves towards the South China Sea, where Vietnam, Laos and China are in its potential path (see picture above).